AS tour guide on a horse and coach ride all around the historical and architectural landmarks of Limerick City, Mark Liddy has many favourite spots en route, but he can't quite make up his mind between the Treaty Stone and King John's Castle.
"King John's Castle would be my favourite because of its history and the importance of it. It represents the old city and the first urban development in Limerick took place there."
He also loves the scenery coming over Thomond Bridge at Clancy Strand and Curraghgour Falls, along with the merging of the old and new city.
However, Mark also cites the Treaty Stone as possibly his favourite place historically. "This is purely because of what it represents," said the man from Rathbane.
The horse and carriage ride was started up last year in late July, and tourism this year, according to Mark, is down 50 per cent on last.
Both the carriage and the horse were bought in Killarney, Gypsy, the 25-year-old mare having been originally foaled in St Mary's Park. The driver is Michael Coady from St Mary's Park.
"We got funding from Fás, The Paul Partnership and St Mary's Action Integrated Development for the carriage and we're running the tours now in conjunction with Shannon Development," explained Mark.
"The coach ride is great because people see the city in a different light and it gives people an insight into what it would have been like in the old days.
"This sort of transport was reserved for the gentry at one time and it gives an ordinary person the feeling of what it was like in 19th Century Limerick to have been one of the privileged. You can feel like a prince or a princess for half an hour.
"We get a great response from kids who love the idea of the horse and it's also great for elderly people who can't handle trekking around the city on foot sightseeing. It fills a gap of 30 to 40 minutes for them and it's very relaxing" explained Mark.
Couples often opt to take a ride on the carriage, as it's romantic, said Mark, while locals also often take a trip on it.
Mark, who was previously a tour guide with B-rd Failte in Kilfinane, loves the "town atmosphere" of Limerick.
He knows how to deal with tourists and locals alike and if he senses someone is very interested in the history of Limerick he tells them many stories to bring that history to life.
"I don't just reel off the history, because they can read about that themselves in books or leaflets, but I do tell them stories and lore about the area," he said.
If, however, he senses that people are just on the coach ride to relax he'll leave them to do just that.
"In general the tourists love the ride. They say they never realised the city was so beautiful. They see the rolling hills of Clare on the Thomondgate side of town and they also see the old quarter of the city and along George's Quay they get a cosmopolitan feel.
"It's also very advantageous for tourists to get on this tour because then they know what route to walk around the city."
Sights to be seen on your tour include: Merchant's Quay, The Potato Market, The County Court House, City Hall, St Mary's Cathedral, Old City Court House/Gerald Griffin Memorial School, Bourke's House, Island Road, St Saviour's Dominican Friary, The Bishop's Palace, St Munchin's Church, Villier's Alms Houses, Thomond Bridge, Toll House, The North Munster Masonic Centre, King John's Castle, Limerick Museum, Castle Lane, Nicholas Street, The Widows Alms Houses, The Exchange Wall, Fanning's Castle, The Tholsel, George's Quay.
The cost per person is €7.00
